Feds enforcing the Rules!!!!

TheRogue · 02-11-2003, 04:58 AM

Front page of the Oregonian Today...

Trawler's Catch Seized

Don't know if it will stick, but the gauntlet is down!!

TR

OceanBlue · 02-11-2003, 06:51 AM

After reading the story, I'm not sure how I feel about it. :whazzup: I'm glad the feds are taking the issue seriously and that they're enforcing the ruling, but is it possible that it was an innocent error? They are sure making him out to be a heinous criminal.

Thoughts?

Salmonator · 02-11-2003, 07:32 AM

Um, I don't think a half mile out of his boundary is an honest mistake?

rojo · 02-11-2003, 07:38 AM

Even with loran he would know. I run both loran and gps, loran interfaced with radar gps interfaced with computer. Never a half mile diffenence, may a 100 yds....Roger

Fishaholic2 · 02-11-2003, 07:51 AM

The rules are the rules guys, and they have to be inforced on all the same way.

I watched a guy get a ticket last year at the wind river for fishing outside the line. He claimed the wind had blown himout, however, the rest of us seemed to manage OK.

On top of that, a commerical boat without GPS? Come on now, most of the commerical guys I know would not be without ALL of the best nav equipment.

I don't by the story at all. Truth is they got nabbed and that is it. I have no soft spot for them at all.

Miss B Haven · 02-11-2003, 08:12 AM

Loran? GPS? so what - this is a BS excuse. Tell me that a trawler doesn't know the difference between 250 fathoms and 300 fathoms! What, a bottom dragger without a depth finder - HA - nail him boys, nail him!

Pilar · 02-11-2003, 08:42 AM

They caught him and that is good. He will squall and squeal and maybe stir up some backlash from the trawl fleet. So far they have played along with the restrictions. What would it be like if they became obstructionist instead of cooperative?

Did I miss how they twigged onto the violation in the first place? When I first saw the map of the excluded area the jagged border of it defied any reasonable way to track it. How the hell do you patrol that?

How did they realize he was over the line? Did one of the other trawlers call it in? Are they using satellites and spy planes?

puffins crew · 02-11-2003, 09:04 AM

He was aware of where he was, and got caught. It is all legal until you get caught.

The line was drawn, and he crossed it. He will be the sacrificial lamb.

This just might be ugly.

Tom

OceanBlue · 02-11-2003, 09:06 AM

John: The article made it sound like routine helicopter surveillance. What are the chances?

02-11-2003, 09:42 AM

I've got mixed feelings on this. He should have known he was in restricted water but a trawler has to take a big swing to turn when it's gear is in the water. At least they are out enforcing the regulations :smile:

OceanBlue · 02-11-2003, 09:49 AM

I can't put my finger on it, but it just doesn't feel right.

The guy was out of bounds. Unless there's some way he can dispute that, he's stuck.

I guess I'll just look at the good that will come from it. If the fisher doesn't lose his permit, he'll likely get a GPS and make sure he doesn't cross the boundary. Other fishers will be very careful about where their boats are. The harvest didn't go to waste and the feds got to buy fuel for their chopper.

foxer · 02-11-2003, 12:29 PM

$9000.00 for 18,000lbs ? Yikes

corrirod · 02-11-2003, 07:29 PM

The line is based on fathoms, not GPS so perhaps he needs a better depthfinder. I really can't feel sorry for him because it sounds as though he sold himself up the river by telling the coastguard his coordinates.

When you play on the edge of the line then you'd better make sure you know where the edge is.

I don't want to see any legit commercial go out of business but if you're trying to play on the boundaries of legality then you'd better be able to pay the price.